CSY Architects

The Book Whisperers are overjoyed to introduce our first partners: the award-winning Camerons Strachan Yuill (CSY) Architects. Their generous support has enabled us to provide Midlothian’s first Story and Book Festival, Wonderland free of charge to the community.

CSY Architects utilises storytelling to convey the artistry woven into the very foundation of their designs. Every design considers the story of a building as you move through it, the intimate way the spaces within a building interconnect, and the heritage of the property. When collaborating on older properties, CSY Architects ensure their designs only enhance the building, simply adding another chapter to the story of the property without compromising its rich history. CSY Architects recognises that a building is more than just the materials that make it, it is the people that inhabit it and the memories they make there. CSY Architects aren’t just telling the story of a property they are helping create the character within it.

CSY Architects are committed to operating in a socially and environmentally ethical manner. Established in 2020, CSY Architects is the amalgamation of three existing practices, which are deeply rooted in their respective communities: Camerons Architects, Bain Swan Architects LLP, and Douglas Strachan Architect, with the former dating back to 1963. To ensure they are emersed in the community, CSY made the conscious decision to locate their Midlothian office in Dalkeith’s town centre to keep abreast of local concerns and take a pro-active approach to improving the area. This commitment to operate in an ethical business manner that prioritises residents’ concerns is integral to their operations, having worked on numerous community-based projects such as St John’s and King Parks Church and Mayfield Masterplan.

St John's and King's Park Church: the left image shows the property during the construction phase, and the right the completed project.

Mayfield Masterplan, left to right: this highlights CSY Architects meticulous step-by-step approach when designing a new project. CSY begins with community consultation, then moves onto outline sketch ideas, followed by 3D modelling as seen on the right.

For the past two years, CSY has worked in partnership with DYW Borders to provide virtual work experience to schools throughout the Scottish Borders. Following the continuing negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational inequality, CSY Architects have contributed by providing an accessible experience that helps bridge this gap. This is just one of many exciting initiatives they have adopted as part of the ongoing commitment to improve their local economy, environment, and support the arts cultural and heritage sectors in Scotland. Managing Director Douglas Strachan’s desire to contribute to the community goes beyond professional work through CSY Architects, being actively involved in the local Development Trust, One Dalkeith, in a voluntary capacity.

Operating in an environmentally responsible manner is integral to CSY Architects design process, employing in-house energy specialists to ensure the designs they produce are considerate of the planet from the idea’s conception, and not just as an afterthought. They prioritise incorporating innovate energy efficient concepts into their designs, such as passive solar gain and micro-renewable energy, as well as prioritising the responsible sourcing of materials.

CSY Architects pride themselves on having a genuinely supportive company culture that has been organically fostered through their non-hierarchical approach, adopting an Arthurian round table approach to decision-making. This forum-based approach to decision making allows for everyone’s voice to be awarded equal value, consideration, and merit. This ‘in it together’ mindset had created a supportive team, which is highly valued, illustrated through the company’s move to employee ownership.

During the height of the pandemic, the company Directors went to considerable efforts to ensure all employees personal circumstances were considered, conducting virtual 1-to-1 meetings so any issues could be discussed privately and confidentially. This caring and compassionate attitude has led to an organic transition back to working in offices, valuing a return to this more naturally collaborative environment.

This month, to continue with their mission to support individuals’ mental well-being and the arts, CSY Architects have launched a new social initiative that combines the literary arts and mindfulness practices. Kicking off at The Borders Book Festival with a team training day, Managing Director Gavin Yuill delivered a motivating talk on the importance of mindfulness, highlighting the importance of concepts such as gratitude. In support of their scheme, CSY Architects have purchased bespoke, handmade journals for all employees. Taking inspiration and paying homage to the Directors’ own university days, these journals will act as a ‘second brain’ for employees, a creative outlet for their eyes only to encourage innovation and creativity. By encouraging employees to journal their work process, even privately, helps highlight the benefits of writing down your thoughts be it professional or personal, promoting positive mental practices.

CSY's 2022 team training day at The Borders Book Festival

The Book Whisperers commitment to helping improve their community closely aligns with CSY Architects own values, therefore our partnership seemed like a natural fit. Our Managing Director, international best-selling author Mary Turner Thomson, has been working closely with CSY Architects to provide a workshop that aligns with their company’s goals to help further grow their already impressive record of success